Chapter 5

Micki licked her lips as she headed up the path where Tate waited with his bucket. She hadn't intended to kiss Patrick, at least not now. As coiled up tight and square as he seemed, there was something about him that hinted at something deeper. She'd been telling him the truth when she said he was like a package, and she wanted to discover what was inside. Actually, she wanted to unwrap him.

She laughed at her libidinous thoughts. She was no stranger to attraction, but Patrick was different. Her other beaus were country boys driving trucks, hunting and fishing, and using obvious pickup lines when they were interested in her. She was sure Patrick had never been in a truck, held a gun, or put a worm on a hook. Even the way he stalled her departure that led to banter and a kiss was subtle, initially. She found his approach sweet. His kiss, however…his kiss would have knocked her sock off if she'd been wearing them. Wow! She let out a giggle and then covered her mouth and hoped no one saw her. She wasn't the giggling type. But Holy Moses, could he kiss.

"Aunt Micki, I got the bucket." Tate waved the bucket.

"Let's go hunt up some skipping rocks. How about over by beach two?" They'd have to pass the honeymooners to get to beach two. Hopefully, they were sleeping in and not enjoying marital relations. The cabins were old, and it was quite possible sex acts could be heard from the outside of them. She didn't want to have to explain the birds and bees to Tate. That was Logan's job.

"Do you think Dr. Patrick will forgive me?"

She took Tate's hand. "I think he already has. In fact, I don't think he was upset at you at all."

"Is Paw Paw and Mema going to make him leave?"

"No. Why would they do that?"

"I don't think they liked what he said at breakfast. What did he say that was bad?"

She sighed. Kids could be so astute to the moods of the adults around them, even as they didn't understand what was going on. "He didn't say anything bad. Sometimes people don't like other people getting into their business, that's all."

"Did he get into your business?"

"It's going to be okay, Tate. I promise. I went to his cabin to make sure there were no hard feelings."

"Were you kissing him?"

She tripped and stumbled a few steps. "Ah…what?"

"It looked like you were kissing. It was how my mommy used to kiss Mr. Jones."

The anger that rose from knowing that Tate had witnessed his mother's infidelity squashed the embarrassment of being caught kissing Patrick. Then she felt guilty because Logan's wife was dead now and while she and Logan were in the process of separating, that didn't mean her death wasn't difficult for him. And because Logan made sure Tate only heard good things about his mother, Tate didn't know about his mother's indiscretions. She was a terrible wife, but she'd been a good mother and Tate loved her. So, Micki bit back her bitterness.

"I was just giving him a hug." She hated lying, but she also didn't need Tate sharing what he saw with her brother or parents. "I think he feels like he's on a planet in outer space."

Tate laughed. "Really?"

"Yes. I mean, who has never skipped rocks? Only an alien."

Tate cut up laughing, dropping his bucket. He quickly grabbed it again, and they made their way past the honeymoon cabin, which, fortunately, was quiet.

They arrived at beach two, where along the outer rim of the sand there were rocks. They squatted down and began hunting for the flat ones best for skipping.

They filled the bucket nearly half-way. It was heavy enough that Micki had to carry it back to the main beach for Tate.

"Is he coming?" Tate asked when they arrived at the empty shore.

"I'm sure he'll be here." She took a rock from the bucket. "Shall we practice once?"

"Okay. But not too much. He might need lots of rocks to get it right."

She laughed. No doubt he would. But if the tire changing incident was any indication, Patrick was a person who liked to work at something until he could get it. At least he was letting Tate help him. He hadn't wanted help with the tire.

They each threw a rock, with Micki's skipping four times.

She held her hands up in victory. "Queen of rock skipping."

"Someday I'll be able to skip a lot."

"Stick with me, kid, and you will. Your dad was never good at it."

Tate snickered. "He's terrible."

She laughed with him, realizing that it had been a while since Tate had seemed so relaxed.

A sound in the brush had her looking up to see Patrick making his way along the path. His eyes were down and for a moment, she wondered if something was wrong.

"Is everything okay?" she called out.

He waved. "Just watching for snakes."

She snorted. "Tate, we have our work cut out for us if we're going to turn this city slicker into a country boy."

Patrick reached them, and like Tate, he appeared more relaxed than before.

"We got all these rocks." Tate motioned to the bucket.

Patrick examined the bucket. "That's a lot of rocks. I suspect you think I'm going to take a lot of instruction."

"It's okay Dr. Patrick. It took me a long time."

"Tate, why don't you show him how it's done?" she said, moving closer to Patrick.

"'K." Tate took a rock and trotted to the edge of the lake.

She leaned closer to Patrick. "Listen, I'm very glad you're doing this for him, but when you've had enough, just send him back to the house or call for me. You're supposed to be on vacation, not babysitting."

"I have no plans. The rental company is going to send someone to pick up the car and leave me another one."

"Yes, well, even so, if you get tired of this, don't be shy about telling him you're done."

She left Patrick to his rock skipping instruction and walked to the steps, stopping to watch as Tate explained the intricacies of skipping a rock. Tate threw his rock, getting two skips. Patrick threw his, and it sunk like…well a rock.

Micki watched them a bit longer. They were about as opposite as two people could be, and yet, it was like they were meant to be together now. She knew he could help Tate, but she wondered if maybe Tate couldn't help him too.

She headed inside. Her father wasn't around, so she went to the kitchen where her mother was at the table drinking iced tea and looking over her cookbooks.

"Have you seen Tate and Patrick?" Micki went to the refrigerator for the iced tea pitcher. She poured herself a glass and then sat with her mother.

"Oh dear. He's not counseling him, is he?"

"No, mom. Tate's teaching him to skip rocks."

Lori lifted her head and looked out the window toward the beach.

"He apologized for butting in, but?—"

"Any counseling Tate needs should be set up by Logan." Her mother's tone was final.

"I know. But he knows people. Maybe he could help us help Tate."

"Tate just needs time."

Micki rolled her eyes. Many of the south's traditions were great, but some, like the one about brushing problems under the rug or not airing dirty laundry, seemed more harmful than helpful.

"Besides, Dr. Andres is here for a respite. In fact, maybe you should go get Tate. He can't possibly want to be spending time with a little boy," Lori said.

Micki took a sip of tea. "Actually, I think he does. I think he wants to experience life at the lake."

Her mother eyed her.

"What?" Micki shifted, wiping the condensation from her glass to avoid her mother's knowing stare.

"You seem to have a soft spot for Dr. Andres."

"We're attentive to all our guests," Micki argued. "Speaking of which. Have we heard from the newlyweds yet?"

"I think it's amazing we've seen them at all." Her mother jotted a note down on a pad of paper. "They'll come up for air when they're hungry." Lori rose from her chair. "Will you make a run to town again?"

"Again?"

"It seems like we should have something fancier for Dr. Andres."

Micki rolled her eyes. "Now who has a soft spot?—"

"It's not a soft spot. I just don't want him thinking we're ignorant hicks."

Micki stood and went to her mother. What a change a little bruise to the ego could make. Yesterday, her mother was all sweetness, and now she felt defensive.

"I'm positive he doesn't think that. And he'd be mortified that you thought of him as a stuck-up city boy."

Lori sniffed.

"He's not the only one who's mentioned that Tate needs more help, so don't hold this morning against him."

Lori pursed her lips. "Fine. But we still need a few more supplies. Can you go?"

"I will go." Micki poured her ice down the sink and put her glass in the dishwasher. "I told Dr. Andres to send Tate up when he's done skipping stones."

"I'll make sure Tate doesn't bother him."